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Kids' Chemical Solutions

Recommended Ages
Dr. Kelley's recent TEDx talk is titled, "Molecular Literacy for Ages 8-108". In this talk she explains approaching chemistry like reading and how it can connect to all ages.

Ages 8 - 18

Kids’ Chemical Solutions, founded by Colleen Kelley, Ph.D., transforms chemistry into a story-driven adventure for homeschoolers and curious learners ages 8 and up. Anchored in the M.C. Detective Agency graphic novel series, the program blends scientifically accurate symbolism with mysteries rooted in history, art, literature, and pop culture—helping students see chemistry as part of a bigger human story. Supported by a 108-page instructor guide and grounded in research on dual-coding and multimedia learning, it provides families with a rigorous, college-aligned curriculum that is open-and-go yet flexible. Ideal for visual and narrative learners, gifted or twice-exceptional students, and families seeking an alternative to dry textbooks, it sparks cross-generational conversations, builds symbolic fluency, and prepares kids for the 50+ college majors that require chemistry while connecting science to culture and everyday life.

Features
BookInclusiveIndependentLiterature-Based

Molecular Literacy is perfect for learners ages 8 and up who love stories, puzzles, and characters—or who need chemistry reframed as something doable and even fun. It’s especially suited for:
• Visual and narrative learners who thrive on comics, dialogue, and illustrations.
• Families seeking academic rigor without relying on dry, abstract textbooks.
• Homeschool parents who want a turnkey curriculum that still allows deep dives, hands-on projects, and flexible pacing.
• Gifted and 2e learners who need intellectual challenge delivered in a playful, multi-modal way.

Pros

“As a homeschool parent, I used to dread the day we’d have to tackle chemistry. Kids’ Chemical Solutions completely changed that. The comic stories make molecules come alive—suddenly oxygen isn’t just a symbol on the table, it’s a character my kids laugh about and remember. What I love most is that we can all learn together: my 10-year-old and 13-year-old follow along at their own levels, and even I’ve found myself finally understanding concepts I struggled with in school. The 108-page guide gives me everything I need, so there’s no stress about planning lessons. Best of all, my kids see chemistry as part of history, art, and even pop culture, not just a set of equations. It feels rigorous enough to prepare them for the future, but joyful enough that they don’t realize how much they’re learning. This program turned what I thought would be a hurdle into one of the highlights of our homeschool.”

Cons

Some parents note that Kids’ Chemical Solutions is best used sequentially; it isn’t a “pick any topic” style curriculum, so families looking for quick, one-off science lessons may find it less flexible. Younger learners sometimes need extra parent support since the program emphasizes symbols and representation, which can feel abstract at first. Others wish for more live interaction or video components to accompany the stories. We’re actively exploring ways to add optional multimedia support, more differentiated pacing suggestions, and enrichment activities so families can adapt the program more easily to different ages and learning styles.

Kids’ Chemical Solutions works with multiple state homeschool education programs and ESA/charter school funding options. Families can request vendor approval if their school is not yet on the partner list.

Molecular Literacy Packet. $75.51 This packet contains curriculum to develop a strong foundation for Molecular Literacy to include the periodic table, elements, atoms, atomic structure, quantum mechanics, ions, ionic compounds, bonding, names and formulas, and polyatomic ions.
• Files #1-4 (Perfect Bound)
• Activity Pack for files #1-4 (Perfect Bound)
• Ionic Ooze Card Game (Deck of Cards)
• Atomic Bingo Game (PDF)
• M.C. Detective Agency: Files 1-4 Beginner Lesson Plans (PDF)

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Kids' Chemical Solutions
$34.95 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
View all collections
STEM
STEM
Science
Science
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry

Our mission

The mission of Kids’ Chemical Solutions is to remove the fear and “gatekeeper effect” of chemistry by introducing symbolic fluency early, joyfully, and through stories. Unlike traditional textbooks, our graphic novel series blends history, art, literature, and pop culture to make molecules memorable and meaningful. We believe every child deserves to see chemistry as a language they can read, write, and use to engage with the world—whether tackling climate change, exploring medicine, or simply asking better questions about the world around them.

Our story

Creating fun and accessible chemistry stories has been a labor of love for Dr. Colleen Kelley as a retired University of Arizona chemistry professor and author of a series of kid’s chemistry comic books. In 2023, the PBS short documentary, “Comic Book Chemistry” was awarded an Emmy. This documentary centered around Colleen’s vision, chemistry comic book series and her success with teaching college-level chemistry concepts to kids. This vision was then presented as a TEDx talk, “Molecular Literacy for Ages 8 – 108” in 2025. During Colleen’s 30 years of teaching chemistry, she became aware that her students were struggling with basic concepts, including fluency with the symbols for the elements themselves. These comic books, videos, and activities are Colleen’s gift to all future scientists – one that will help them succeed in college chemistry.
Colleen holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Penn State University, was awarded a Chateaubriand Fellowship to conduct research at the Universite Pasteur in Strasbourg, France under the direction of Nobel Prize Winner, Jean-Marie Lehn. Colleen was a tenured faculty member with research expertise in environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and chemistry education. She has published four chemistry textbooks, over 30 peer-reviewed articles, and has presented her work globally.

FAQ: Additional Details about Kids' Chemical Solutions

Picture your child curled up on the couch with a colorful comic in hand, eyes wide as Granny Eve and her grandkids tumble through a time-traveling mystery. You hear giggles as “Big Ox” the oxygen molecule cracks a joke, then silence as your child leans closer to puzzle out a symbol on the page. The instructor guide rests on your lap—you ask a discussion prompt, and suddenly the living room hums with back-and-forth ideas. A sibling chimes in with a connection to art history they studied last week, and together you trace the “alphabet” of elements like detectives following a clue. You might grab a notebook, sketch a molecule, or even head to the kitchen for a snack break that turns into a quick discussion about chemistry in food. By the end, you’ve not only read a story—you’ve touched paper, heard laughter, spoken ideas aloud, and connected molecules to the world around you.

Kids’ Chemical Solutions is a print-based, story-driven curriculum built around the M.C. Detective Agency graphic novel series. Parents read the comics with their children (or children read independently, depending on age), then use the 108-page instructor guide for discussion prompts, pacing, and simple activities. Each lesson introduces new “molecular characters” and symbols in sequence, like learning an alphabet, and gradually builds toward bonding, structure, and reactivity. Families can treat it as a once-or-twice-a-week core science block or weave it into a broader curriculum as a supplement. We recommend parents guide younger learners through the symbolism, while older kids can move more independently. Because it’s open-and-go, prep time is minimal—parents can simply open the guide, read together, and follow the prompts to spark conversation and learning across ages.

Kids’ Chemical Solutions is designed so parents don’t need to be chemistry experts to guide their children. The 108-page instructor guide provides pacing, discussion prompts, and simple activities, making it easy to facilitate lessons with little prep. Parents act more like guides than traditional “teachers”—reading the comics alongside their children, asking questions, and encouraging connections to history, art, and everyday life. Younger learners often benefit from parents helping explain the symbolism and keeping discussions flowing, while older learners may engage more independently. Because the program encourages intergenerational learning, families often enjoy working through the mysteries together, sparking conversations across ages and building a shared identity as “science learners.”

Kids don’t need any background in science before starting Kids’ Chemical Solutions. If your child can read at about a 3rd grade level, they’ll be able to follow the comics and join the discussions. No math skills or science knowledge are required—just curiosity and a love of stories.

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100% guaranteed refund

At Kids' Chemical Solutions, we believe in building a strong foundation of Molecular Literacy. In fact, our research has shown that this is the #1 factor in success in college chemistry. Therefore, our curriculum does not include things that "blow up" or are "slimy". We have found no evidence to suggest those items contribute to success in college chemistry.

3Dux Designs

We’re excited to share that Kids’ Chemical Solutions is actively expanding! The M.C. Detective Agency graphic novel series is currently being completed through File 10, giving families a full sequence that mirrors first-year college chemistry outcomes. Alongside the new volumes, we’re developing additional instructor supports, enrichment activities, and optional multimedia elements to give families even more ways to connect with the stories and deepen learning.
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Meet Colleen Kelley, Ph.D.

Creating fun and accessible chemistry stories has been a labor of love for Colleen as a retired University of Arizona chemistry professor and author of a series of kid’s chemistry comic books. In 2023, the PBS short documentary, “Comic Book Chemistry” was awarded an Emmy. This documentary centered around Colleen’s vision, chemistry comic book series and her success with teaching college-level chemistry concepts to kids. This vision was then presented as a TEDx talk, “Molecular Literacy for Ages 8 – 108” in 2025. During Colleen’s 30 years of teaching chemistry, she became aware that her students were struggling with basic concepts, including fluency with the symbols for the elements themselves. These comic books, videos, and activities are Colleen’s gift to all future scientists – one that will help them succeed in college chemistry.
Colleen holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Penn State University, was awarded a Chateaubriand Fellowship to conduct research at the Universite Pasteur in Strasbourg, France under the direction of Nobel Prize Winner, Jean-Marie Lehn. Colleen was a tenured faculty member with research expertise in environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and chemistry education. She has published four chemistry textbooks, over 30 peer-reviewed articles, and has presented her work globally.

Modulo's expert opinion

Our learning specialists give their honest evaluation
ManishaCEO and Founder of Modulo

Kids Chemical Solutions helps children truly understand chemistry through story-driven labs and creative problem-solving.